hawkins



, 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.) E. S. HAWKINS. 9 CAR COUPLING. No. 474,992. Patented May 17,1892.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

E. s. HAWKINS.

GAR COUPLING.

No. 474,992. Patented May 1'7, 1892.

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NITED STATES ATENT AQFFICEQ EDlVARD S. HAWVKINS, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK,ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO EDWIN G. S. MILLER, OF SAME PLACE.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 474,992, dated May 17,1892..

Application filedDeoember 14, 1891. Serial No. 414,913. (No model.)

This invention relates to the class of-carcouplings which are providedwith a vertically-swinging hook pivoted to the d raw-head andinterlocking with a loop or cross-bar arranged on the draw-head of anadjoining car.

The object of my invention is to produce a simple and inexpensivecar-coupling of this general type which is automatic in action and toreliably lock the pivoted hook in its coupled position, so as to preventaccidental uncoupling of the cars.

In the accompanying drawings, consisting of two sheets, Figure 1 is afragmentary perspective view of a freight-car provided with my improvedcoupling. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the coupling on an enlargedscale, showing two adjoining draw-heads coupled together. Fig. 3 is asimilar view showing the hooks uncoupled. Fig. 4: is a verticallongitudinal section of the coupling.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

A represents the draw-head, which is preferably constructed with theusual flaring mouth,having pin-holes in its upper and lower sides, sothat the ordinary pin-and-link coupling may be employed when necessary.

13 is the vertically-swinging coupling-hook, pivoted to the side of thedraw-head by a horizontal pin or bolt. The draw-head is provided on oneside with a forwardly-projecting lug O, between which and the adjacentwall of the draw-head the inner end of the couplinghook is pivoted, andon its opposite side with a loop or eye D, which receives the couplingshook of an adjoining car. der 0, which connects the lug O with thedrawhead, extends above the pivot of the hook, so as to form a backstop,which limits the rearward swing of the coupling-hook. This stop islocated at a su'fficient distance rearwardly from the pivot of the hookto cause the hook to remain by gravityin a rearwardly-inclined The webor shoulposition under the ordinary shocks to which the car issubjected.

E is a locking dog or pawl attached to the rear side of thecoupling-hook, whereby the hook is prevented from accidentally risingout of engagement with the loop of the opposing car. This locking-dog ispivoted to the coupling-hook by a horizontal pin, so that it can swingvertically, and its free rear end is adapted to abut against the web 0,and thereby check the upward movement of the'coupling-hook when the sameis swung down into its coupled position, as represented in Fig. 4. Thefree end of the locking-dog is preferably bent into a horizontal plane,so as to lie fiat upon the shank of the hook, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4.

F is a chain whereby the coupling-hook is raised for uncoupling it andwhich is connected with the hook and its locking-dog by branches ff.This chain is preferably operated from a transverse rock-shaft G,supported in bearings secured to the end of the car. This shaft isprovided at one end with a crank g for turning it and above the couplingwith an arm g, to which the upper end of the chain is attached. 'Uponturning the rock-shaft in the proper direction the chain is caused tolift the locking-dog abovethe web or shoulder a and the nose of thecoupling- 7 hook out of engagement with the loop of the opposingdraw-head, the hook falling backward against its back-stop by gravityupon being swung rearwardly beyond a vertical position by the chain andremaining in this position. The branch chain of the locking-dog is madeof such length that the dog is lifted clear of the shoulder 0 before thehook is raised sufficiently to allow the dog to. strike said shoulder.When the coupling-hook is in its uncoupled position, as represented inFig.

3, its locking-dog depends therefrom on the rear side of the draw-head.As soon as the draw-head strikes against an opposing drawhead theconcussion causes the couplinghook to swing forwardly beyond aperpendicular position and to drop by gravity into engagement with theloop D of the adjoining draw-head, the curved nose of the hookinterlocking with the outer cross-bar e of said loop,

and thereby coupling the two cars together. The pivoted hook of theopposing car is swung into engagement with the loop of the drawhead ofthe first-mentioned car at the same time, thus forming a doubleautomatic coupling of considerable strength. The forward and downwardmovement of the couplinghook causes its dog to ride over the upper edgeof the web or shoulder c and drop with its free rear end in front of thesame, as shown in Fig. 4, thus locking the couplinghook against upwarddisplacement and rendering the coupling very reliable. The cars arereadily uncoupled by turning the rock-shaft, as before described.

My improved coupling depends for its automatic action upon theconcussion of the strikingdraw-heads, and it therefore dispenses withthe trip devices for positively swinging the hook into a horizontalposition which have been heretofore employed, thereby rendering thecoupling simpler and enabling it to be manufactured at less cost. Thecouplinghooks are given sufficient lengthwise play in the loops D torelieve the locking-dogs and their pivots from strain when thedraw-heads come together.

I claim as my invention 1. The combination, with the draw-head, of

a verticallyswinging coupling-hook pivoted to the draw-head, and a dogor pawl pivoted to the coupling-hook and adapted to abut against thedraw-head when the hook is in its coupled position, substantially as setforth.

2. The combination, with the draw-head, of a Vertically-swingingcoupling-hook pivoted to the draw-head and adapted to engage with across-bar or loop arranged on an opposing draw-head, and a dog or pawlpivoted to the coupling-hook and abutting with its free end against ashoulder on the draw-head, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with the draw-head, of a vertically-swingingcoupling-hook pivoted to the draw-head and adapted to engage with across-bar or loop arranged on an opposing draw-head, a locking-pawlpivoted to the coupling-hook for holding it in a coupled position, arock-shaft supported on the car, and an uncoupling-chain connected withthe hook and the locking-pawl and operated from the rockshaft,substantially as set forth.

Witness my hand this 18th day of November, 1891.

EDWARD S. HAWKINS. Witnesses:

CARL F. GEYER, F. O. GEYER.

